God’s grievances concerning Israel

22 But now, you descendants of Jacob, you refuse to request my help.

It seems that you people of Israel have become tired of worshiping me.

23 You have not brought to me sheep or goats for offerings that will be completely burned on the altar;

you have not honored me by bringing to me any sacrifices,

even though the offerings of grain and incense that I asked you to bring to me were not a burden to you.

24 You have bought for me fragrant reeds,

and you have brought me the fat from your sacrifices.

But these have not pleased me,

because you have burdened me by all the sins that you have committed,

and made me weary because of all ◄your iniquities/the wrong things that you have done►.

25 I am the one who is able to forgive you for all your sins;

I am the only one who can do that,

with the result that I will never think about them again.

26 Tell me what I have done that you do not like.

Do you think that when you state your case, you will prove that you ◄are innocent/have done nothing wrong► [IRO]?

27 No, what has happened is that the first ancestor of you Israelis sinned against me,

and since then, all your leaders have rebelled against me.

28 That is why I have caused your priests to be disgraced;

and I have allowed others to destroy you people of Israel

and caused you to be despised.”